Course summary
Please note: for September 2025 entry there is only Year 1 entry for this course. Please refer to our Public Sociology course (L390) if you are looking for advanced entry onto Year 2 or 3. Our BSc (Hons) in Sociology is ideal preparation for a wide range of careers in which you can contribute to improving people’s lives. In sociology, our focus is on understanding how people’s lives and interactions are shaped by factors like class, gender, ethnicity, race, disability and age in national and global contexts. Sociologists interpret and explain how social processes and institutions inform and impact people’s everyday lives. Throughout your degree, you will have opportunities to study a broad range of topics including:
- Examining how, where, when and why social inequalities and divisions arise;
- Considering ways in which we can challenge, understand and overcome social problems and ethical dilemmas through public policy and social action;
- Interpreting the relationship between identity, community and society, locally and globally; and
- Conducting research into real world issues, as well as making concrete recommendations for social change.
Modules
Year 1 Introduction to Academia Introduction to Psychology Introduction to Psychology 2 Classic & Contemporary Sociology Diversity and Inequality Foundations of Psychology; Core Concepts and Practices Year Two Developmental and Social Psychology Exploring Research Material Culture: The Social Life of Things Current Debates in Sociology Education, Race and Ethnicity Engaged Sociology Year Three Sociology of Knowledge & Science Understanding the Sociological Present Social Process and Social Movements Class, Poverty and Inequality: Social Policy Responses Research Skills Community Education and the Organic Intellectual Year Four Community-based Education Dissertation Options may include: Inequality, Poverty and Social Policy in Comparative Perspective; Gender Justice and Violence: Feminist Approaches; Embedded Sustainability; Political Ecology: the Social Study of Environmental Justice; The Sociology of Scotland; Queer Feminist Sociology in Action NB The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Feb 2024) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2025. Please check back here for any updates.
Assessment method
You will be taught in lectures, seminars and practical workshops. Outside these timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning through self-study. You will be assessed by essays and a variety of other ways including written reports, presentations and groupwork.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- L400
- Institution code:
- Q25
- Campus name:
- Queen Margaret University
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher - BBBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H3, H3
We accept many different qualifications, but cannot list them all here. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information or advice if you are thinking of taking a course of study. We welcome applications from international and EU applicants and you can find information on specific entry requirements by country here: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/international-students/information-for-your-country/. We also welcome applications from mature students, or people holding qualifications such as Access courses or OU modules. The Scottish Wider Access Partnership (SWAP) offers a range of local Access courses and those that are accepted for entry are listed here: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/college-qualifications
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Scottish Higher - BCCC
English language requirements
IELTS with an overall score equivalent to 6.0 and with no individual component less than 5.5.
QMU English Language Requirements
https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/international-students/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £9250 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Students from England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Republic of Ireland: fees will be charged for the first three years of study. The fourth year is free.
Provider information
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Queen Margaret University Drive
Musselburgh
Edinburgh
EH21 6UU